Until recently, I was an officer with a large sheriff's department in the southeast. I was called into IAD after a rumor surfaced in the jail that was supposedly started by a local known prostitute and whom I have had numerous runins with while working a sidejob at the bus station. This rumor was heard by a corrections officer and passed up the chain of command. That is when I was called into IAD. I was told that supposedly this prostitute had told a C.O. that I had picked her up and paid her for sex in the back of a cruiser while working at the bus station. She had not signed a complaint against me, and was unable to be located to be interviewed (how convenient!). I was read the Garrity Warning and signed a form that I had been advised and understood my rights under Garrity. I was asked and truthfully  denied that I had ever had sexual contact with her or any other prostitute, never had sex in a county vehicle, in uniform, or while on duty. I advised the IAD Lt that I had been cursed and threatened by this crackhead prostitute on more occasions than I could count and that the only thing I could PROVE is that I had never used a cruiser while working at the bus station. He asked if I would submit to a "voluntary" polygraph and I immediately agreed. After all, I had been truthful and had nothing to hide.

An "independent" polygraph examiner was called in and I was sent to wait in the lobby while he set up. The Lt. talked to the examiner for approximately an hour while I was in the lobby. I was called in, and hooked up to the machine after the test was explained and he went over the questions that would be asked. When the test started, the questions were asked in random order, the 5 or 6 relevant questions, and some questions he said were profile questions, ie Have you ever lied to a supervisor, have you ever lied to get anyone in trouble, etc. He said these were FBI profile questions that are asked of everyone. The questions were asked 3 different times with a break in between. 

I was sent back outside to take a break, and felt confident that I had passed, since I had been TRUTHFUL in my answers to every question. I was called back in after about 15 minutes and told that I had failed on all the relevant questions! Then the Lt. and the examiner both started asking fishing questions like "has one of these prostitutes ever groped you", have you ever fondled one of them, etc. Then he was rather condescending and telling me that "hey, we are all human", etc. and asking "what have you ever done that maybe you aren't being truthful about?" I told them both that I had no idea why I had failed and that I had nothing to tell them, because I had been truthful with them.

One of the things that puzzle me is that he was telling me that I scored -5 on this question, -3 on this question, and so on, and that meant I wasn't being truthful on any of them. He said I scored -6 (I think) on the question of having sex in a county vehicle and I told him that I could prove that I had never used a cruiser on a side job, and he told me "I believe you on that question but not the rest of them. Well, if the machine said I lied on all of the questions, how can he say he believes me on one of them that I supposedly lied on, and doesn't believe me on the rest? Wouldn't that contradict the accuracy of the entire test?

I was immediately terminated and my badge, ID, etc was immediately collected. Needless to say, I am still in shock over the whole deal. I had enough confidence (maybe naivete) in the system to believe that since I was telling the truth, all would be cleared up. What the hell happened? Is this a common occurrence with polygraph tests? The only other time I have taken a polygraph was in the 80's as an applicant with a police department in Virginia. I took the test and 3 weeks later was told to come in to retake the test. I was not told why, and after the second test, I moved on to the next phase. If someone could shed some light as to what might have happened, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

I have been told that if I took and passed another polygraph with the same questions (at my own expense) then I may be able to persuade the department to allow me another chance to pass their polygraph. 

My fear is now that I failed once, that I will simply be so nervous that I cause myself to fail another one. I kind of wonder if the "independent" polygrapher, who was being paid by the department for this session was told what they wanted to see and gave them just that.

In addition to getting some legal advise, like GM said, try contacting a private polygrapher with a police background.  Act like you are SINCERELY seeking their advise.  Play up to him, stroke their ego.  You can be pretty sure that it will be in YOUR best interest to do just the OPPOSITE of what they suggest!  

Send me a PM, if you need some names.

TC

P.S.  DO NOT mention this site, or admit to having researched the polygraph.  They hate that!  They want to keep you uninformed, dumb and gullible.  Like spectators at a magic show.

You need to see a labor attorney.  I believe you can get your job back if you do, (and have some coin to pay the attorney).  By law, a government agency must give you a pre-termination hearing, (Loudermil hearing).  It doesn't sound like they did that, so they violated your civil rights in terminating you without a hearing.

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Great idea!  While you're at it, why not write a letter to the American Polygraph Association. I'm sure both they and the Sheriff will be sympathetic to your cause.  Debating the merits of the polygraph with the very guy who made it, or maintains it, as part of the employment process.  The very process that SCREWED you.   

They already took their action.  The FIRED YOU!  They played their hand. So, DON'T do Jack "Diddly" Shit, unless your attorney tells you to!  Did the Sheriff even talk to you prior to taking this action?

Did your attorney advise you to do this?  Or have you decided NOT to follow our advise and even talk to an attorney?   

TC

And don't let my sarcasm get to you!

Let  us know how the whole thing goes.  It will be instructive, as many people come here in similar circumstances.

Good Luck!

TC